The Esoteric International Film Festival collects the best esoteric films from around the world, which were created both by professionals and by enthusiasts, and helps to get them across to the Russian audience.

We admit only the esoteric films, both modern and historical ones. As well as those films, where esoteric world is an important part of the synopsis.

Esoteric International Film Festival invite filmmakers who make films and documentaries about ghosts and spirits, brownies and witches, fairies and sorcerers, exorcism and parapsychology, telekinesis and transmission of thoughts at a distance, prophetic dreams and premonitions, alchemy, amulets, amulets, non-traditional religious cults, voodoo religion, animism, shamanism, theosophy and anthroposophy, the hidden edges of reality and other dimensions; self-discovery, the search for the meaning of life, the search for yourself in this world and your mission, life after death, human energy, chakras, aura, meditation, yoga, retreats, spiritual practices, spiritual teachers and ashrams, reincarnation and the recollection of past lives, the power of thoughts and the work of the subconscious; alternative medicine and non-standard methods of treatment, the universal mind, the energies of the new time, high vibrations, etc.

All films must be in English (orRussian). Alternatively, have the English or Russian subtitles (with the exception of all films without words), regardless of the country of production.

All best films that were selected for the vscreening, will be shown on the big screen during the solemn final ceremony on July 02-05, 2020 in Moscow, Russia and will be able to struggle for the main prize and the title of the "Best Esoteric film". As well as for the oteric in the standalone nominations.

Prizes and qualifications

Best Esoteric Feature Film

Best Esoteric Short Film

Best Esoteric Long Documentary

Best Esoteric Short Documentary

Best Esoteric Music Video

Best Esoteric TV Pilot / Web Series

Best Esoteric Animated Short

Best Director

Best Cinematography

Rules

Please read these rules & regulations for submission very carefully PRIOR to submitting your film for consideration. By submitting your film to Esoteric International Film Festival, you acknowledge that you have read and understand these conditions.

– We accept films only from authors or their authorized representatives who have the written permission from the author. All video, soundtrack, texts and music used in the film should not violate the copyright law. You may be asked to supply documentation supporting your claim. Violation of copyright is a sufficient justification for exclusion of the film from participation in the festival.

– By sending your film to participate in our festival, you agree that your trailer will be uploaded to our website and our pages in social networks. Your trailer will remain on the website of our Festival until you do not request to delete it.

– You grant the permission to use the trailer, texts and photos that are relevant to the film to advertise the film on TV, online, in printed press. This will help us to inform broad audiences about your film.

– All films must be in English. Alternatively, have the English subtitles, regardless of the country of production.

– There is no limit as to how many films a Film Maker can submit. However, each film can only be submitted once in one single category. If your film is suiting in more than one category, then please choose the one you find most suiting.

– You may submit as many films as you like, but you must pay the appropriate submission fee in full for each film.

– Submission fees are non-refundable.

– Waivers or discounts on submission fees are not offered.

– Incorrectly completed entry forms, or missing information may lead to the disqualification of your submission.

– Esoteric International Film Festival does not accept submissions sent by email or physical submissions sent by mail. Submission will accepted through submission partners.

– Do not send a press kit or other supporting materials unless asked to do so by the festival.

– There are no premiere requirements. Your film may have screened before.

– Films that have distribution are still eligible for submission.

– Films that have been broadcast on television, and/or are available to view in full online, are still eligible for submission.

– All documentary, animation, fiction films, created by professionals and enthusiasts not earlier than January 1, 2011 are welcome to participate in the contest.

– Our jury screens films PRIVATELY (meaning: it's not a public screening!). Only officially selected films we'll screen at our annual event. Where one film from each category will be awarded.

– All films which are selected / nominated for the competition or Festival, will be informed only by emails & listed on festival web site.

– No inquiries or arguments will be entertained regarding non selected films. The decision off festival selection committee will be final.

– Esoteric International Film Festival will communicate all details through email communications only, so please give authorizes email and respond to emails asap. No phone call inquires.

Esoteric Feature Film

Feature Films >75'

Fee-8%

PRO 33%

Early20$18.4$
13.4$
30 Jun 19

Standard35$32.2$
23.45$
30 Nov 19

Late40$36.8$
26.8$
28 Feb 20

Extended45$41.4$
30.15$
25 Jun 20

Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees

Submissions deadline
25 Jun 20

Save up
14.85$

Submit

Any Feature Film Over 75 mins will be considered in this category. Foreign language work must be dubbed or subtitled in English (or Russian).

Esoteric Narrative Short

Short and Feature Films 75'<

Fee-8%

PRO 33%

Early15$13.8$
10.05$
30 Jun 19

Standard30$27.6$
20.1$
30 Nov 19

Late35$32.2$
23.45$
28 Feb 20

Extended40$36.8$
26.8$
25 Jun 20

Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees

Submissions deadline
25 Jun 20

Save up
13.2$

Submit

Any film Less than 75 mins. will be considered in this category. Foreign language work must be dubbed or subtitled in English (or Russian).

Esoteric Documentary Feature

Short and Feature Films

Fee-8%

PRO 33%

Early20$18.4$
13.4$
30 Jun 19

Standard35$32.2$
23.45$
30 Nov 19

Late40$36.8$
26.8$
28 Feb 20

Extended45$41.4$
30.15$
25 Jun 20

Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees

Submissions deadline
25 Jun 20

Save up
14.85$

Submit

Any Documentary Film over 45 mins will be considered in this category. Foreign language work must be dubbed or subtitled in English (or Russian).

Esoteric Documentary Short

Short and Feature Films

Fee-8%

PRO 33%

Early15$13.8$
10.05$
30 Jun 19

Standard30$27.6$
20.1$
30 Nov 19

Late35$32.2$
23.45$
28 Feb 20

Extended40$36.8$
26.8$
25 Jun 20

Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees

Submissions deadline
25 Jun 20

Save up
13.2$

Submit

Any Documentary Film under 45 mins will be considered in this category. Foreign language work must be dubbed or subtitled in English (or Russian).

Esoteric Music Video

Short and Feature Films

Fee-8%

PRO 33%

Early15$13.8$
10.05$
30 Jun 19

Standard30$27.6$
20.1$
30 Nov 19

Late35$32.2$
23.45$
28 Feb 20

Extended40$36.8$
26.8$
25 Jun 20

Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees

Submissions deadline
25 Jun 20

Save up
13.2$

Submit

Esoteric Music Videos must be 25 minutes or less in length including credits. Public music videos that are currently on youtube or vimeo are eligible.

Esoteric Animated Short

Short Films 25'<

Fee-8%

PRO 33%

Early15$13.8$
10.05$
30 Jun 19

Standard30$27.6$
20.1$
30 Nov 19

Late35$32.2$
23.45$
28 Feb 20

Extended40$36.8$
26.8$
25 Jun 20

Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees

Submissions deadline
25 Jun 20

Save up
13.2$

Submit

Esoteric Animated Short under 25 min. Foreign language work must be dubbed or subtitled in English (or Russian).

Esoteric Web Series

Short and Feature Films

Fee-8%

PRO 33%

Early15$13.8$
10.05$
30 Jun 19

Standard30$27.6$
20.1$
30 Nov 19

Late35$32.2$
23.45$
28 Feb 20

Extended40$36.8$
26.8$
25 Jun 20

Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees

Submissions deadline
25 Jun 20

Save up
13.2$

Submit

This category is reserved for a esoteric web-series that is currently running on YouTube, Vimeo, or streaming service and would like to increase exposure to new fans. The maximum length of a web series episode with credits is a maximum of 30 minutes. Foreign language work must be dubbed or subtitled in English (or Russian).

Best Director

Short and Feature Films

Fee-8%

PRO 33%

Early15$13.8$
10.05$
30 Jun 19

Standard30$27.6$
20.1$
30 Nov 19

Late35$32.2$
23.45$
28 Feb 20

Extended40$36.8$
26.8$
25 Jun 20

Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees

Submissions deadline
25 Jun 20

Save up
13.2$

Submit

Any genre and length

Best Cinematography

Short and Feature Films

Fee-8%

PRO 33%

Early15$13.8$
10.05$
30 Jun 19

Standard30$27.6$
20.1$
30 Nov 19

Late35$32.2$
23.45$
28 Feb 20

Extended40$36.8$
26.8$
25 Jun 20

Get an Annual Pass and get the maximum discount on festival and submission fees